Revitalizing Riverbank Systems through a Sponge City Framework and Nature-Based Solutions toward Sustainable and Resilient Communities in Charghat, Rajshahi¶

📝 Overview¶
This project addresses the critical challenge of riverbank erosion and urban flooding in Charghat, Rajshahi, along the dynamic Padma River. Traditional "grey" infrastructure (concrete embankments) has proven costly and prone to failure in this region.
Our study proposes a paradigm shift towards a Sponge City Framework, integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) such as vetiver grass, bio-swales, and live crib walls[cite: 1]. By redesigning the riverbank interface, we aim to enhance ecological resilience, manage stormwater naturally, and create sustainable community spaces that work with the river, not against it.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies¶
⚙️ Methodology¶
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Site Analysis | Mapped the "Toe," "Mid-Slope," and "Top" zones of the Charghat riverbank to identify erosion hotspots. |
| 2. Risk Zonation | Classified areas into High, Medium, and Low risk zones based on hydrological data and slope stability. |
| 3. Design Intervention | Selected specific NBS elements for each zone: Wire Gabions for toe protection, Live Crib Walls for slopes, and Bio-swales for the top. |
| 4. Cost Estimation | Conducted a comparative cost analysis between NBS materials (bamboo, vetiver, local rock) and traditional concrete structures. |
Documentary ⬇️¶
Presentation Slides ⬇️¶
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Full 3D ⬇️¶
📊 Results & Insights¶
- 🌍 Cost Effectiveness: Our analysis proved that concrete structures cost 2-5 times more than Nature-Based Solutions and are more susceptible to failure in dynamic river environments.
- 📈 Zonal Defense:
- Toe Zone: Protected with wire gabions ($14,000-18,000/m) and coir logs.
- Slope Zone: Stabilized with vetiver grass ($400-600/m) and live crib walls.
- Urban Interface: Managed with permeable pavements ($1,200/m²) and rain gardens.
- 🧭 Resilience: The proposed framework creates a flexible buffer that absorbs floodwaters rather than resisting them, ensuring long-term community safety.
🗂️ Data Sources¶
| Source | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Field Survey | Physical feature survey of Charghat Upazila | N/A |
| Water Board | Hydrological data for the Padma River | BWDB |
| OpenStreetMap | Base map data | OSM |
🔖 Tags¶
Landscape Planning Sponge City Nature-Based Solutions Riverbank Erosion Urban Resilience Bio-engineering Sustainable Design Rajshahim